One of the most evil results of human civilization is “Bandh” (in English general strike). This is the most powerful means used worldwide to protest against the injustice or to fulfill a political goal but the easiest way to establish political identity in India. As per the communism theory, this is the last and most effective weapon to set the authorities’ teeth on the edge. It used to be the last of all protests when all other doors were closed; also it didn’t involve violence if the demand was not reached.
In the history communism, Bandh, Hartal, General strike all these means of protest were in a society, when there was problem of capitalism, when there was no means to increase public awareness or when there was not so active media. May be this was right at that time and in that kind of society, but, now-a-days this tool has lost its meaning due to its overuse not only by communist party but also by all small and big parties in India, especially in West Bengal. Common People (I mean apolitical) see it as a mere political vandalism which means a loss of business, loss of time, loss of money, loss of property overall depletion of economy. On any Bandh, people stay closed in home or spend it as a holiday; it’s not that they do it to show solidarity rather they do it out of fear or to avoid harassment. When other countries around the world have chosen other means of protest, we still love to be in the 19th century dragging the country backward.
The state with the maximum Bandhs in India is West Bengal where the average number of bandhs per year is 40-50. So we can imagine how many crores of rupees they loss each year. Yesterday, I heard news that out West Bengal Govt. is looking for a law or legal way to counter this evil way which stalls the human life. I don’t know whether it’s a gimmick or not; but, respectable Chief Minister, if you could bring such change to our state averting all kind of political repulsion, not only the people of WB, but also the entire India will remember you as a leader, a leader to be followed.
Your view about strike is just and very clear. It reminds me of an incident in Japan. Once there was a strike in the shoe making industry of that country. All the workers were protesting in demand of pay-hike. But they did not called the strike by just hanging their tools and shutting down the factories. They came to work, they did their duty and they made the strike successful without hampering the production. Wonder how!!!
ReplyDeleteThey just made left leg shoes, leaving the other one. Innovative, huh!